Measurement of vocal handicap in patients with vocal nodules and functional dysphonias

ObjectiveTo assess the degree of vocal handicap in patients with dysphonic disorders.Patients and methodsNinety-seven patients with a diagnosis of vocal nodules and 65 patients with a diagnosis of functional dysphonia completed a questionnaire which included the Vocal Handicap Index (VHI) and the Quality of Life Index (QLI) (a measure of voice-related quality of life).ResultsWe found a high degree of incapacity reflected by high scores on the VHI (mean score 61 in patients with vocal nodules, 56 in patients with functional dysphonia), on the individual subscales of the VHI (organic: 26, 25; functional: 22, 19; emotional: 13, 12), and on the QLI (13, 11).ConclusionVocal nodules and functional dysphonias often imply significant incapacity in terms of social functioning and work performance, with associated emotional impacts.